More meets in November (movie, music, sport)

As November progresses, I go to a spot where my main goal is actor Gary Dourdan from CSI and A Different World. Also there is actor Allen Payne, actor Flex Alexander, and rappers Big Daddy Kane and Treach. We go to the spot and seems they are all going in one single van, and that van is in a place where we can't even wait. So we had to improvise and go the restaurant. They were going out of their way to make sure we don't find the restaurant. But it didn't work. At the restaurant everyone exited the van and was nice as can be. It was a clean sweep.

Full list of photo ops

Next event was the evening after Monstermania in Oaks. My main target is rather ambitious. The Williams sisters, Serena and Venus. They are known to be nasty.

They do nothing on entry. But I do get actor Spencer Garrett from Air Force One. Ron Howard goes in and does nothing but thankfully I have him already.

On exits I had a botch. I needed Hillary Clinton to sign me a book and she was one of the first to leave. I missed her cause I wasn't in position (but I have the op from before). I got another photo op with Alicia Keys. Saw Clive Davis leave, he didn't stop but I have him. And the Williams sisters left and by miracle I got Serena but Venus used rain as an excuse not to stop. Jeff Bezos was there but used the garage.

Not a sweeping success but I did better than I had predicted. 

Spencer Garrett

Serena Williams

Full list of photo ops

The next day I went to the airport for actress Ann-Margret. I have a great photo from Chiller a few years ago but figured I'd go for autographs. I see her being pushed on a wheel chair and show her our op from Chiller. She smiles and says hi. Signs my 2 photos no issue. Told her I didn't need another op so I wouldn't bother her with that (no need to get a wheel chair op with hat and shades). After I got her 2 people came up to me and asked who that was. When I told them they go "legendary actress Ann-Margret??" and I said yes.

Autographs

Next up, was waiting at a spot for Ellen DeGeneres. But it seemed like she left. Saw singer Trey Anastasio of Phish fame at the spot and got a photo op, but I have him already. There were also basketball teams staying there but I didn't even bother to ask and let others have at it.

With that loss, it was off to the train station for legendary singer Patti Smith. She was not overly nice but did stop and does combos. While she was walking I noticed someone else walking with her. I look up her band members and it is indeed her guitarist who also wrote songs with her, Lenny Kaye. So I get the photo op.

Trey Anastasio

Patti Smith

Lenny Kaye

Patti Smith autographs

On another day I stood at a spot with people that were mostly rap names I never heard of. Some notable names were LeToya Luckett and Faith Evans. I went there to see what I could see and I managed to get Faith Evans who was very nice. She was already in and I was fortunate she came back out. I also saw Frederic Yonnet and got a photo op but I had him already. 

I could have stayed more gotten more people on entries and exits but I had other engagements and didn't feel like dedicating more time to this. People apparently got everyone else there except LeToya Luckett.

Faith Evans

Frederic Yonnet

Next day at the airport I go for young musician Billy Strings. He is all smilies as I ask for the photo op, but didn't seem too happy when I pulled out two 8x10s. His guy said "one max". I held both up and he signed one for me. 

Billy Strings

Autograph

November cons: Rhode Island Comic Con and Monstermania

Rhode Island Comic Con had such a monster line up. When they added Elisabeth Shue, that sold me. She is a name I missed in NYC and she is the last name I still need from Back to the Future (she played Jennifer McFly in the second and third one). My other top name there was Jason Lee from Alvin and the Chipmunks.

Unfortunately, like Chiller I had to weed out a lot of "maybe" names due to lack of splits. I had 12 names on my main list and got them all. I had 21 names on my maybe list, but I only got 4 of them. 

One great thing about RICC in 2022, the weather was good. Every time I've been to Providence for RICC it was freezing cold. So I would always park in the garage by the venue and sleep there the night before I attend. This would set me back $20 on parking. It is $12 if you park there up to 12h (plenty of time to finish up with the con) but since I arrive the night before and need to somewhat shield myself from the elements when it's cold weather, parking is $20 since I'm there longer. But this time I parked in a residential neighborhood for free and slept there. When I woke up, I walked 20 minutes to the venue! In a world where money is drained from you on every corner, it always feels good to save money somewhere.

As I enter I go to artist's alley and get a free photo op with Batman artist Pat Broderick. I then meet up with markedout's Greg2600 and most of my splits would be with him. 

First up, puppeteer Simon Williamson. He worked on many older Muppet movies but is probably best known for Max Rebo in Return of the Jedi. Always cool to add another name from the Original Star Wars Trilogy. That's almost non existent for me at this point as pretty much everyone from the OT I either met or is dead (or both). Then I get Bruce Reitherman AKA Mowgli from the original Jungle Book. Another older Disney voice actor to my collection, also rare. 

Then actor Jake Abel from I Am Number Four and Percy Jackson. And child actor Grant Feely AKA Luke Skywalker in Obi Wan. Then suit actor Carey Jones from Mandalorian and Predators, followed by Mitchell Whitfield from Friends and My Cousin Vinny. 

After this I go check out the names in the arena and I find out that neither Elisabeth Shue or Jason Lee are doing table ops, which sadly means I am now stuck getting the pro ops. I go back to the original building and seek out the creator and artist of Eddie from Iron Maiden, Derek Riggs! I got the photo op for free. He was doing a singing in Pennsylvania and I'm such a huge Iron Maiden fan I was actually thinking of doing it, but decided against it with everything going on. So to have him here in RICC where I already am and to get the photo op for free? What a treat! He was selling his book for $80 and he would sign and sketch it. It was very tempting to buy that. But sadly ops are the priority for me so I couldn't be spending on this.

Then I get actress Gigi Edgley and go back to the arena to get my sole want from that area, Asher Angel from Shazam who finally returned to this table. 

Then it's time for the Elizabeth Shue pro op which was fairly smooth, and after that knocked out Doug E Doug, Rawle D Lewis, Malik Yoba, and Leon from Cool Runnings. 

Ended my time at RICC with actors Mark Sheppard and Joivan Wade, and the pro op with Jason Lee. Jason's pro op was quite the long wait and I split that with markedout's Woodmo.

Elisabeth Shue

Jason Lee

Full list of RICC photo ops

Monstermania in Oaks had very few wants for me. I would not have event attended if not for the addition of Marley Shelton. First person I get is Bradley Gregg from Nightmare on Elm Street 3. Then Robyn Lively from Karate Kid 3 and Twin Peaks. She was being so friendly and nice to everyone. Also get Michael Bailey Smith AKA Super Freddy and also from Charmed.

I then get Ashley Bank from Monster Squad, the only Monster Squad name from this con that I needed. And I finally get Brooke Bundy (Nightmare on Elm Street 3 and 4) who was sitting by herself most of the time. 

Ended my time in Oaks with Marley Shelton (Scream 4, Rampage) who was friendly.

Marley Shelton

Full list of Monstermania photo ops

Actors and AEW to kick off November

So AEW was in Baltimore and there is a spot with a bunch of actors. Most of them are at the not big names or barely valid, but there were 3 main names I wanted. Jasmine Guy from Different World and Scary Movie 5, Dorien Wilson from Sister Sister, and Terrence Carson AKA Mace Windu in the Clone Wars cartoon and he was also in Final Destination 2. 

Unfortunately this meant that I had to miss AEW at the hotel plus a Billy Gunn flight (I need him on a figure). This sadly is the side effect of not being able to be everywhere. And I did  indeed miss a huge AEW rackfest (thankfully I have most of the names). But I did want Jasmine Guy so I was stuck here and I would dedicate some time to AEW the next day.

The event ended I went up to the stage and got some names. Then I got some people walking to the party, then again leaving the venue. I got my main 3 targets and then some but also missed a lot of barely valids just cause no one could spot them. 

Jasmine Guy I almost missed. While I was inside she came out to smoke, did ops, went back inside. I rushed from inside to outside hoping to see her and then she left the venue and did a photo op with me as she entered an uber. Praise the combo Gods. Besides the main 3 I got names like Terayle Hill, Kiki Haynes, and others.

Terrence C Carson

Jasmine Guy

Dorien Wilson

Full list of photo ops

I then drive to Baltimore, sleep in the car, as I ready for a flight for the biggest name in AEW that has eluded me: Kenny Omega! Yes it's true I never had luck getting the guy as I never saw him and I was never at a con he was at. Plus his price is like $100 at a con and that isn't very appealing to begin with. So I wake up, I mooch some breakfast, and it was off to the airport. 

We see Kenny and he is super cool signing and taking photos. He said not to post the photos online. I assume he said that cause he hadn't been back on TV then. But now that he's back on TV I think we're fine posting them. I got the photo op and five 8x10s signed, a $600 convention value! Although I wouldn't have paid for the autos at a con so I guess I technically "only" saved $50-$100 for his op depending if I split it or not (which don't get me wrong I'm very happy saving that money).

Back to the hotel where the setup is no where close to the ideal setup they had the day before as they put us further away and it was harder to have access. I got a few names but had most of them. I did get fresh names in Cole Karter and Angelico so I guess that's something. And by luck Billy Gunn (who wasn't staying there) was dropping off his sons so I managed to get my figure done. He was barely wanting to do it saying his arms are frozen but gave me the best Billy Gunn autograph I ever got (paid or free). He wrote "Bad Ass Billy Gunn HOF 2019 DX". I also got Jerry Lynn on the WWE_E V3.

I cut my time short and people got more later but not too much that I didn't have. Kenny Omega was the main one so mission accomplished! 

Kenny Omega

Kenny Omega autographs

Billy Gunn figure

Full list of AEW photo ops

Next evening I go to a venue for actor Brandon T Jackson from the Percy Jackson movies. After the show he was super cool greeting people

Photo op

And a few days after that to another venue for actor Tommy Davidson. Similar setup where after the show he was super nice and greeted people. 

Photo op

Chiller Theater Halloween Weekend plus NYC meets

Halloween 2022 Chiller had a ton of names for me. Thankfully I manage to split most of them cutting costs big time. But even with that I had to weed out a ton on my "maybe" list. 

Get there Friday and I start with one of my two top wans, Lorraine Bracco. She wanted a "socially distant" shot but it turned out fine. Next up I got Robert John Burke from Robocop 3 then to my other top want, action star Bolo Yeung. 

Then I get actor Chazz Palminteri from The Usual Suspects. Then Leonard Whiting AKA Romeo. Then get a photo op with Matthew De Meritt who played ET in some scenes. He was born with no legs so as a child he wore the suit along with 2 midgets who are now dead.

Then Olivia Hussey AKA Juliette who had the longest line. Sucks she wore hat and glasses but what can you do. Her daughter India Eisley was at the hotel and came down and did photo ops on Sunday. But thankfully I already got her in NYC before COVID hit. Then Johnny Martino from Godfather. I didn't need Cathy Moriarty but the person I was splitting with was getting her then she invited me to come in the photo op. 

Then I get Richard Burgi from the 2009 Friday the 13th, Ola Ray from the Thriller music video, Mike Starr from Dumb and Dumber, and K Callan from Lois and Clark. Chiller ended and hung out in the lobby and snagged a few more ops.

Lorraine Bracco

Bolo Yeung

Olivia Hussey

Full list of Friday Chiller photo ops part 1

Full list of Friday Chiller photo ops part 2

Saturday starts with the Jeffersons. I get Berlinda Tolbert and Ernest Harden. Then get Daryl Mitchell from Galaxy Quest. Back to the Jeffersons where I get 91 year old Marla Gibbs. 

Ended Chiller with Judie Aronson (Friday the 13th part 4), Lucy Lee Flippin (Flashdance, Little House on the Prairie), and Robin Frates (Puppet Master). 

Marla Gibbs

Full list of Saturday Chiller photo ops

With Chiller in the rear view mirror it was now off to NYC. My first stop is a signing with RL Stein. I have him before but I thought why not get some autographs for free. I got him to sign me two books and I got an update with him along with ops with his son, his daughter in law, and one other person.

Now to try some of the "easy" spots in NYC. First spot is for Daniel K Isaac (Billions) and actress Linda Lavin (Barney Miller, Alice). Daniel is as nice as can be and Linda takes long to come out. She is confused as to what I want which I find strange considering I saw photo ops on social media. But she does the op no issue. 

Next a spot for actor Ralph Fiennes from a whole bunch of things. Sadly the venue is monstrous with multiple exists. The first of its kind I've ever seen in NYC. And we can't figure out how he leaves. This one is a bust. 

The final spot for the evening is one focused around Jack Harlow. He's not a want of mine and hasn't been nice lately so I wasn't expecting to get him. But I was hoping for randoms. Me and Vanessa the Jersey Shore Stalker almost didn't find the spot and were on the verge of giving up. We then stumbled upon it. It was the strangest thing ever. I got a few ops nothing too great and Jack was a total dick. I did get Lorne Michaels to sign me an 8x10.

Full list of Saturday NYC photo ops

Autographs

After some much needed sleep I go back to the "easy" spots to try for John David Washington (son of Danzel). I would actually be joined by markedout board member Crowbar. That was unexpected.  

Sadly John David would keep the mask on for ops even declining to take it off. Danielle Harris walks in but I have her. Samuel L Jackson no one asks and just walks him. But I have him too. And Ray Fisher outright declined everyone. I have him but shocking considering how nice he used to be. 

Then I go to a spot with actors Josh Mostel and Richard Masur. Need Josh have Richard. The spot ended earlier than I thought but thankfully I was on time as Josh walked out when I got there. He was nice. Never saw Richard but apparently he left before Josh.

Next a spot for Patina Miller, Annie Golden, and David Patrick Kelly. Wanted a better shot with David and need the other two. There were two exists. Patina comes out of the one with the railing while the others come out through another door. Sadly Patina didn't stop, Annie we weren't able to spot, and David we had to run after him to stop him and he was cool. While in the area I got another op with Faran Tahir plus others.

Then I have to decide if I want to check out one last spot for the evening or leave the city. I didn't know the start time. But I decide to check it out which was a fantastic decision because it is ripe with activity. Graphers, paps, actors, etc. This spot has Jim Parsons who I have. He did some ops reluctantly but I didn't really try for one. But Anthony Edwards was there with his wife Mare Winningham whom I never got. She was in St. Elmo's Fire and other stuff from the 80s and 90s. And I got Mary Beth Peil from Dawson's Creek. Great way to round up my time in NYC. And I was out!

Mary Beth Peil

Mare Winningham

Full list of Sunday NYC photo ops

October cons: Monstermania, Celebfest, and CSA Show

Three quick cons that took place in October. 

First off, Monstermania in Hunt Valley. I didn't need too many people. First off Gaylen Ross (Dawn of the Dead), then Mark Burnham from the new Texas Chainsaw Massacre, then actor Quinn Lord. Also got Jeff Daniel Phillips who is in the new Munsters and was also the caveman in the Geico commercials. And finally Oded Fehr from the Mummy who was pro only.

Full list of Monstermania photo ops

Next up, Baltimore Celebfest 5. My main want there is the Doink and Dink dual op. I met them both before, but I never got Dink suited and never got both in the same shot. I don't normally pay for dual shots for repeats, but to have Doink and Dink, dual shot, AND both suited? That is 90s WWF at it's finest and cartooniest. It was too captivating to pass up. I got the dual shot and I also got a signed 8x10 with both. Plus I added Doink to the entry in the WWE_E V1 which is already signed by Matt Borne (I already had the Dink entry signed from before).

I got three more ops. Abadon, Luigi Primo, and Persia Pirotta.

Doink and Dink

Autographs

Full list of Celebfest 5 photo ops

And finally CSA show. I actually had ZERO wants at this con but I went there for moral support (basically to hang out and help someone out). But while there I picked up some ops for free. I got an update photo op with Ilan Mitchell-Smith. And I got free photo ops with boxer Michael Spinks and baseball player Rickey Henderson.

Full list of CSA Show photo ops

Kurt Russell in Pennsylvania report

As most know by now, Kurt Russell was doing a wine bottle signing in King of Prussia, PA about 30 minutes from Philadelphia. I also had his flight. I figured it's worth trying to get autographs and the op to skip the event. I figure worst case it's a chance for autos and an extra chance for the op.

I spoke about it to the top Master combo hunter in Philadelphia and he told me in his 20 years of doing this, he never got so many texts about any flight into Philadelphia as he did this one. People were apparently coming from NYC, Ohio, and other places.

Area #1: Here we are about 8 people. Kurt comes in refusing to take photos but he signs. I manage to only get one. He refuses me more autos even though he signs more for others. 

Area #2: This is where me meet up with the rest of the crowd, about 20-30 people. Here Kurt does nothing as he walks outside. 

Area #3: Now we are outside. Kurt counts 13 people says he will sign 13 autographs. Still declines photos. Starts signing and when he gets to me he goes "I already got you". 

Area #4: This time we are by his car. He signs more and he finally caves in and agrees to ops. WTF! I try to get one and he agrees but looks away! WHAT BAD LUCK! I plead with him some more and he agrees to another op and STILL invalid! WTF? Other people got valid ops! I guess I'm now officially committed to the event. 

Take 1

Take 2

I scope out Valley Forge Casino Resort. Go inside the event and secure my wine bottles for the event the next day. Dine at a Chinese Buffet with Vanessa the Jersey Shore Stalker. Back to the Casino where I park the car and get sleep.

Wake up the next day and line up with my bottles in hand. Hang out with plenty of current and former marked out board members and other combo hunters from all over. It was a unique reunion to say the least. When they let people in it was a mob scene to buy the bottles. Glad I already had mine cause they did not last long!

Finally we line up and it's time to meet Kurt. When he sees me he goes "weren't you at the airport yesterday" to which I reply "yes". He goes "why were you so upset" and I explained why. He then goes "well it all worked out". I take a shot and realize it is blurry. But they gladly take another one. FINALLY get a good op! 

Take 3

Take 4

Chilled a little at the event eating and drinking free samples. Then somehow managed to be find Kurt as he left the building. To my shock he was signing for people. I get up to him and he goes "you just never quit" as he signs two more for me. But he shut it down shortly after and didn't sign more as he finally drove out. 

Signed wine bottle

Autographs

Scattered meets throughout October

Technically very end of September, but it crosses to October so I'll start this report with actor Larenz Tate from The Postman. Go to the airport and he stopped. Got the op and autographs.

Larenz Tate

Autographs

Couple of days later I try the event to get actress Paige Hurd who I could not find a flight for. I was on the fence of even dedicating the time but I ended up in the vicinity. They were going from one spot to the other. I check the outbound spot but don't see them. Then I check the destination spot, again nothing. Just lots of people. I'm about to give up I walk outside then see a bunch of photogs waiting. So I wait and the stars arrive. I ask Paige for an op and she is super nice about it even asking if the photo came out. I try to update my Larenz Tate but he says later. Sadly this wouldn't be without a PUNCH because at another event was actress Lynn Whitfield and she did ops. I tried to scout out if I could find her out and about but no luck. 

Paige Hurd

Next up, AEW in town. Sadly it fell the same time as NYCC week so I could not cover it. I did a little bit before going to NYC. I got a handful of fresh names most notably Ariya Daivari but otherwise underwhelming (because I have most of the names). I also got Big Cass on the WWE_E V3.

Full list of AEW photo ops

Next up, and event where Ray Romano and Brendan Fraser are appearing. I have them already but wanted better ops. First up go to Ray and get him arriving. He is nice as he does the op and signs. Sadly, it's debatable if this is a better shot considering he has facial hair. 

Then to another spot for Branden Fraser but as soon as we spot him we somehow lose him. So we have to try for him later. Meanwhile try for composer Charles Fox who composed music for movies and tv shows. And he is very nice.

Finally try for Branden again. See Ray again while doing so. Take another shot but it's blurry. Then we wait to go into the Branden event as I barely manage to score a photo op as security whisked him away!

Ray Romano

Charles Fox

Brendan Fraser

Autographs

After attending Baltimore celebfest 5 I go to another spot in Maryland and I get artist Michael Godard. I catch his event just as it's ending and he was cool.

Photo op

Autograph

The next day I would go to a spot for Damon Albarn, the lead singer of the band Blur. He was very nice. 

Photo op

Past mid October there's an event with three One Tree Hill actresses. Appearing are Bethany Joy Lenz, Sophia Bush, and Hilarie Burton. Bethany I have a great shot, Sophia I could use an upgrade, and Hilarie I never got. I arrive at the event and find out that a big want of mine, Lee Norris AKA Minkus from Boy Meets World is there! Also there is actor Antwon Tanner. 

At the venue I get ops with 2 of 3 original members of the rockband Switchfoot. Namely Jon and Tim Foreman. But sadly none of the actors stop but by miracle I manage to find the next spot. When there I go inside to make sure they are there, and indeed I see them wining and dining. So I wait outside. 

When they leave I see Sophia and she doesn't stop, but both Lee and Antwon are nice as can be. The other two I sadly don't see. 

Full list of photo ops

Lee Norris

Towards the end of October I was trying for a spot for actress Zoe Saldana. Sadly it seemed like she was no longer there. But nearby was an event with lots of people lined up. So had to scan the people to see if there were any valids there. And turns out there were quite a few actors there. But sadly I already had most of them. I did get two notable fresh names, namely actor Sendhil Ramamurthy from Heroes and The Flash, and actress Poorna Jagannathan from Never Have I Ever. So my time there wasn't a complete waste. As I was leaving I also see Utkarsh Ambudkar from Free Guy, who I also saw at NYCC earlier in the month.

Full list of photo ops